Giving Thanks for New Traditions
This year is shaping up to be a radically different Thanksgiving from what we’re used to. Fewer family members will be travelling from distant lands to gather at the table, and a lot of people will be scaling down festivities as a result.
Thanksgiving traditions are what you make them!
While it might not be the Thanksgiving we know and love, it can still be special. And we’ve noticed that traditions do tend to change slightly over the years as fun new ideas are introduced. Some folks serve glazed ham instead of turkey (and of course, some families serve both). We’ve been known to mix it up with a pork roast now and then. We even know a large extended family who gets together each year on Thanksgiving with a bunch of homemade pizza crusts for a build-your-own-pizza buffet right at home!
There’s no wrong way to celebrate Thanksgiving. That said, we do have a few suggestions for some new cocktail traditions you can introduce at your next get-together, whether you’re dining alone or with a crew.
When the tryptophan is kicking in and you’re starting to doze off, give yourself a shot (or two!) of adrenaline with an Irish Duck! This coffee drink is as smooth and sweet as you care to make it, and always a welcome cocktail when the pecan pie hits the table.
Irish Duck
1½ oz. Lone Duck Cinnamon Whiskey
1½ oz. Baileys Irish Cream
Black coffee
Top with whipped cream
Garnish with mini chocolate chips
When everyone retires to the living room or crowds around the iPad for a Zoom call with the grandparents, settle in with the perfect blend of traditional cocktail and seasonal flair, the Apple Old Fashioned.
Apple Old Fashioned
1 ½ oz. Shorewood Whiskey (it’s also tasty with Lone Duck Cinnamon Whiskey!)
5 oz. Apple Cider or Apple Juice
½ oz. Shifty’s Old Fashioned Mix (or your Old Fashioned mix of choice)
Apple slice
Club Soda
Build in a tub glass over ice. Top with Apple Cider. Add a splash of Club Soda.
Feel free to use Sprite, 7-Up, or even sour—it’s your old fashioned, after all!
If you don’t have an Old Fashioned premix handy, you can always muddle together the following:
½ oz. Simple Syrup (or 1 Sugar Cube)
2 dashes Bitters
1 Orange Slice
1 Maraschino Cherry
Then add your ice, Whiskey, Cider, and Soda!
And, if you’d like to be decadent but don’t have time to mix up an entire cocktail, try a Zesty ‘Nog!
Zesty ‘Nog
1½ oz. Riverbank Spiced Rum
3 oz. Eggnog
Pour over ice
Top with whipped cream and ground nutmeg
Garnish with an orange slice
Just like everyone has their favorite cocktails, everyone has their favorite way to celebrate Thanksgiving. As long as you’re celebrating all the cool things you’re thankful for, you really can’t go wrong. Whether you’re doing a big, traditional Thanksgiving feast, a scaled down get-together, or a virtual hangout with family and friends, grab some Northern Oasis Spirits and mix up some great memories!